Explore Canada’s Cold War Museum. Descend into history, 75 feet underground.
HOURS
Our blast doors are open! We look forward to welcoming you underground.
Wednesday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Monday – Tuesday: Closed
*The admissions desk closes 30 minutes before the museum closes. Tickets cannot be purchased after this time.
*We highly recommend buying your tickets online in advance of your visit to the museum to ensure there are still spots available.
See all holiday hours & special closures.
We strongly recommend wearing a mask while visiting the site. Read more about how we’re keeping you safe.
CURRENT PROGRAMS & EVENTS
Cold War Speaker Series | FREE
Virtual events sharing insights from experts on a variety of Cold War topics. Events on October 17, and November 14. Learn more.
Toddlers’ Halloween Hunt | October 23–25
Fa-boo-lous fun for children to enjoy treats and themed activities. Learn more.
Canada and the Cold War | Exhibition
New permanent exhibition taking you on a journey through Canada’s Cold War story. Learn more.
An Inuit Story: The DEW Line | Exhibition
New permanent exhibition exposing the impacts of the DEW Line on Inuit communities. Learn more.
Virtual & On-Site Educational Programs
Now accepting 2024 bookings. Experience Canadian history from an immersive perspective unlike any other. Learn more.
ENJOY OUR FREE AUDIO GUIDE
Our informative Audio Guide gives the history of the Diefenbunker through stories, photos, videos, and archival materials. Available in 10 languages.
About Canada’s Cold War Museum
The Diefenbunker is a massive four-storey underground bunker, built between 1959 and 1961. During the Cold War, top officials were to take shelter here in the event of a nuclear war. It was active as Canadian Forces Station Carp until 1994.
Today, it operates as a not-for-profit, charitable museum with award-winning tours and programs.
Explore the Diefenbunker from home in our virtual tour:
About the Cold War
The Cold War is the period between the end of the Second World War in 1945 and ends with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, followed by the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. It was a period of tense conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union and each country’s respective allies.
Learn more in this 2-minute video from Historica Canada explaining the Cold War and Canada’s role.
Ways to Support
During the unprecedented times, we’ve had many people ask to help. Thank you.
As a private, non-profit museum, we depend on visitors for 75% of our operating revenue. We need your support now more than ever. There are many easy ways that you can best support us so we can continue to inform and inspire you through lessons learned from the Cold War.
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Heritage Visitor Attraction of the Year 2024 — Eastern Canada, awarded by Canadian Business Awards 2024
We have been awarded the #SafeTravels Stamp. This international symbol allows travellers to recognize institutions which have adopted health and hygiene, standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.
